CW-80 and Crossing Gate

[steve24944]

I have hooked up a 62162 Crossing Gate to fast track, and I am using a CW-80 Transformer. When the crossing gate is wired directly to the Fast Track ( one wire to the center rail - the second wire to the control rail ) as the wheels hit the control rail the Crossing Gate operates like it should as long as the track power is on.  Then I ran one wire from the crossing gate to the red accessory post so not to use the track power for the gate.  When the wheels hit the control rail - the gate operates only when the track power is on.  If track power is turned off - the gate does not operate.   I would think that the gate should operate when wired to the red accessory post regardless of track power being on or off. 

Anybody have any input on this ?

Steve

[rrswede]

Although I do not operate a CW-80, I googled it and found the following information that may be of assistance to you. The "U" terminals on the original CW-80 transformer are not connected together. See attached article http://www.trainfacts.com/trainfacts/?p=34. Also see pages 5 and 9 of the Owners Manual http://www.lionel.com/media/servicedocuments/71-4198-251.pdf referencing the accessory features.

Hope this does help.

Swede

[ADCX Rob]

On older CW's like yours, the red posts("A" & "B") ARE common(Black "U" under "A" is train variable, Black "U" under "B" is programmable accessory variable).  This is likely the root of your issue.

All you have to do is hook up your track and accessories the way you think they should be, and THEN, just switch the bottom wires with the top wires, on both the trains and accessories, and it will work right except for one detail - the horn/whistle function will be switched with the bell function on all post-1969 equipment.

The issue has been resolved with CW's having a "G" in the date code.